Project Description

When I was a little girl I found a Life magazine from 1969 that had a stunning picture in it, a shoot called Black is Busting Out All Over, featuring the models of the first Black model agency: Black Beauty.

My father was one of the models.He went on to become Poet Laureate of Eritrea. I always wondered about who the other models were and where they are now.

Many years later I managed to get the number of one of the ladies who ran the agency. Next thing I knew I was heading to Miami to discover the most inspiring women, who ran the baddest, most gorgeous and courageous agency in 1960s New York.

Miss Bikini USA. Bond Girls. Deejays. Restaurateurs. NFL Hall of Fame. Public Enemy's Chief of Security. An actor from Daughters of the Dust (Julie Dash has donated towards this doc getting made!) Journalists. Politicians.The only Black Actor in the Godfather. Shaft! He's a bad mutha... How could one little agency link all of this?!

If you think the story of Black Beauty Model Agency needs to be told, here is your chance to help make it happen.

I'm heading to the States with two filmmaker friends, Jean & Adam, NEXT MONTH. We plan to interview and film Betty & Di, the powerhouses behind the agency, and some of the models themselves.

We need funding to help cover flights, accommodation, filming and expenses between the 18th & 30th, and as much of the post-production as possible, editing etc.

We aim to share the documentary on the 50th ANNIVERSARY of the Life Magazine 'Black is Busting Out All Over' shoot : October 17th, 2019.